In October, we hosted an Engineering away day at Glean - it was an inspiration for all!
The energy, engagement, and camaraderie in the room made it an enjoyable event for the whole team to get away from the day job and build relationships with each other.
Pulling this together took careful planning and a focus on creating an experience that would inform, engage, and celebrate our amazing team.
If you’re planning something similar, here are 10 top tips for how we cracked the formula for a successful away day.
Feel free to steal these ideas - we’ve tested them for you!
1. Amazing location
The venue matters. We chose the cinema at Department in Leeds Dock, a stylish and functional space that felt unique and elevated the event from the outset.
The large screen was perfect for presentations, and the comfortable seating kept everyone focused throughout the day. It was conveniently close to our office, but took us away from our desks to avoid the temptation of answering a slack message or checking our emails.
Adjacent to the main event area, we had a dedicated space where team members could take a break, and where we enjoyed our lunch, adding a comfortable and flexible option for downtime during the day.
2. A talented MC
The role of the MC cannot be overstated. Chris Wardell was our brilliant host who kept the day running smoothly, injecting just the right amount of energy and humour to keep everyone engaged.
His role wasn’t just about keeping us on schedule but he also set the vibe for the day, making transitions between sessions seamless and ensuring we maintained momentum.
3. Talks on strategy: starting with "why"
We kicked off the day with talks from Josh, our CTO and myself which set the context for the engineering team within the broader company strategy.
Starting with “why” is crucial - it gives everyone a sense of purpose and ensures that the team understands how their work contributes to our overall goals. These talks laid the groundwork for upcoming change in the engineering team, providing a shared understanding of where we are and where we’re going.
4. Talks by Engineers, for Engineers
Hearing from peers is always a highlight, and this year’s lineup was exceptional. Each talk was packed with insight and passion, showcasing the diversity of thought and expertise within our team.
Matt Russell: "I, WTF? Playwright Progress Report"
Matt discussed how isolating frontend tests from backend dependencies can improve reliability and speed, sharing our journey of transitioning to Playwright.
Colin Wren: "I’m Building Apps Again, So You Gotta Listen to This"
Colin shared lessons from his side projects, focusing on learning through failure, early feedback, and adapting to new technologies like AI.
Rach Swift: "Perspective"
Rachel explored the importance of empathy and understanding in communication, using thought-provoking examples to show how different viewpoints shape collaboration.
Jonny Mew: "Waste Happens"
Jonny highlighted ways to reduce waste in development, emphasising the importance of testing assumptions with small experiments before investing heavily in features.
Matthew Kandiah: "How Do They Draw That?"
Matt took us on a fascinating journey into how GPUs and CPUs process tasks, shedding light on his experience with OpenGL and Vulkan.
Joss Dixon: "Engineering Communication"
Joss shared tips for bridging the gap between technical and nontechnical stakeholders, showing how clear communication can break down barriers and reduce blockers.
5. Icebreakers that work
We started the day with Mario Kart, and it was a hit! It’s the perfect icebreaker - fun, easy to jump into, and universally appealing.
Everyone was happy to participate, and it created an immediate sense of camaraderie without any awkwardness. Starting with something fun broke the ice and set a relaxed tone for the day.
6. Delicious food and great coffee
Good food and coffee are the backbone of any great away day. We made sure our team was well fed and caffeinated, starting with excellent coffee and snacks, a delicious lunch from Bundobust, and a fantastic dinner at Kuala Lumpur Café in Headingley.
Food isn’t just fuel, it’s an opportunity for people to connect and share a moment together.
7. Opportunities for connection
Away days are as much about connection as they are about content. We built in plenty of breaks to encourage informal conversations and bonding.
Whether it was chatting over coffee or sharing a laugh during the icebreaker, these moments were invaluable for strengthening relationships within the team.
As a remote-first team, this event provided a unique opportunity for many engineers to meet their peers in person for the very first time, fostering stronger connections and enhancing team camaraderie.
8. Anonymous feedback through Slido
To ensure every voice was heard, we used Slido to collect anonymous feedback and questions throughout the day. This gave everyone a chance to speak their mind, even those who might not feel comfortable raising their hand in a group setting.
Our moderator, Jonny Mew, skillfully guided the discussion, ensuring the questions led to meaningful conversations without derailing the flow of the day.
9. Celebrating success with awards
Recognising the amazing work of our team is always a highlight. Our awards ceremony was a moment to shine a light on the exceptional efforts of individuals and teams, bringing smiles all around
Celebrating success together fosters a sense of pride and appreciation that carries forward into our work.
10. Involving the team in planning
An event like this doesn’t come together on its own. Involving the team in the planning process was key to making it authentic and aligned with what our engineers truly wanted.
The organising team provided valuable insights that shaped the day, such as sharing slides and detailed agendas well in advance, ensuring the anonymous Slido was made available early to gather questions and feedback, and giving speakers plenty of time to prepare and practise their talks.
These thoughtful steps were built into the planning process, ensuring the day was as impactful and engaging as possible.
Why it matters
This wasn’t just a day of presentations and activities - it was a chance to come together as a team, share ideas, and celebrate what makes us unique. Events like these are about building culture, aligning on goals, and reminding everyone why we do what we do.
Here’s to many more days like this, our next one is planned for March 2025. Thank you to everyone who made it a success!
